Red Sox slugger David Ortiz follows the flight of a springtime home run against the New York Yankees. (AP photo)
Last spring, the Marine Corps launched its Marine Week campaign in Chicago, giving the service a new way to reach out to large cities where it has a limited presence.
The event probably had a few hiccups, but overall, it was considered a success. Now, the Corps is moving forward with bigger plans in another great American city, Boston, and it’s wisely planning to tap into the city’s rabid sports culture in the process.
Marine Week organizers at the Pentagon interviewed for this story told me that they hope to incorporate Marines into a Red Sox-Yankees game at Fenway Park. The two teams play May 7-9, dovetailing nicely with Marine Week, which will begin May 3.
Capt. Antony Andrious, a Marine Week organizer, said Boston was selected due to “its extensive history within American culture and deep sense of patriotism.
“The city provides an opportunity to demonstrate the Marine Corps capabilities and enhance relationships between Bostonians and the Corps,” he said. “In addition, Boston offers a robust academic community and a strong media market that reaches diverse audiences.”
How will Marines be incorporated at Fenway Park? That remains unclear, but I hope it goes beyond the traditional Marine band performance. Since there will be hundreds of Marines in the city and equipment that likely ranges from Humvees to helicopters, I say give us something original. An MV-22 Osprey flyover, perhaps?
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I hope the Silent Drill Platoon will be at Fenway Park?? My son is one of the 24, he is very excited about performing at home.